Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-10-29
THEA.N.VA. REUNION.
ANNUAL GATHHHING OF THIS AssO-
CATION OF VETERANS.
Colonel waddell, Of North Carolina, tho
Orator - Gettysburg and Benton
ville-0iicers Hlected, &c.

u
of The Army of Northern Virginia in
the State Capitol always attracts a
crowd of interested auditors, and last
night was no exception. AT an early
hour the audience began to assemble,
and n time was spent by the veterans
in cordial greetings, the revival OF old
memories, and III the recognition and
applause Of well-known Coniederates.
Governor Lee, General j. T.. John,
ston, General Hampton, General Early,
General Taliaferro. and others, were
loudly applauded as they came into
The hall.
General Taliaferro. the president,
called the association to order, and
called on the chaplain DR.. j. William
jones' TO LEAD in prayer.
General Taliaferro cordially con-
graduated the association on the num-
beIs present.
THE PAST.
He alluded in fitting phrase to the
fact that last year there was present IN
the capital OF the Confederacy the COM
manGcr-in-chiof of the army and navy
of the United States. whose presence
here showed that We had fully accepted
The situation. But, Oh the other hand,
lie referred to the great demonstration
of Yesterday as showing that, while true
10 the Union, We have not forgotten
the memories Of other days, the cause
for which We fought, or our great COM
mander, Il. Z. Lee.
JOE JOHNSTON.
General 1alaferro warmly cOngratu-
lated the association on the presence OF
the first great commander OF the Army
Of Northern Virginia. General }. L.
Johnston the great sonof So tn Caro-
lima (Hampton), who rode with the
cavalry corps the distinguished Lieu
tenant-General q. A. Early, who was
the first president OF this association
the son Of orr great commander Gen
oIal W. u. +. Lee, who won his spurs
in the cavalry our own distinguished
Governor General Fitz Lee, and
ether soldiers worthy OF companion
ship with these.
In fitting phrase he introduced the
orator Of the evening. General Ialia-
fcrro was loudly applauded.l
COLONEL a. =. wADDELL, or NORTH
CAROLINA.
Colonel Waddell was warmly received
by the association and the crowd, and
was loudly applauded.
With graceful and eloquent allusion
to the memories of the occasion and
some very fine satire on the changes in
the opinions held by certain so-called
statesmen of the present, Colonel Wad-
dill quoted from Colonel Charles Mar
shall speech before this association
some years ago as to the very great
difficulty OF giving accurately historic
facts.
NORTH CABOLINIANS At GETTYSBURG.
Among other illustrations OF this
Colonel Waddell cited the mistakes
that had been made in the accounts of
Tottigrews division at Gettysburg.
lie eloquenty insisted, amid the loud
applause of the audience, that while
lie would not detract from the honor
that Justly belongs to Picllett's division,
vet it was due to Pettigrew's division
of North CarOlinians AMI Archers
Tennessee brigade to say that on that
last day at Gettysburg they went as far
and stayed as long as any other troops,
and are entitled to equal honor with
Iicketts men.
lie appropriately introduced as his
theme The Last Year OF the War IN
North Carolina" lie gave very
vivid account of the capture Of Ply
mouth, which seemed to be OF great
interest to the audience. He then pro-
ceeded to al account Of the lombard
ment and final capture of Fort Fisher.
He also gave very amusing account
Of Buffers powder-ship and its eXp!o-
sion, and told an aDec lote given him
10y Admiral Porter, which brought down
the house in rapturOus applause.
His description Of the final assault
and capture Of Fort Fisher AMI the
gallant defence OF the heroic garrison
was very fine.
JOHNSTON AND HAMPTON.
Colonel Waddell next spoke Of the
assuming Of command 10y General j.
L. Johnston. and the ability with which
be conducted his operations, and this
was loudly applauded. lie also paid a
tibute 10 General ilampton's opera
tons, which elected like applause.
BIS contrast between the conduct OF
Cornwalhss army in their march
through North Carolina in the first
Revolution and the infamous conduct
of Sherman's bummers was very
striking.
GENERAL TALIAFEREo.
Colonel Waddell compimentcd Gene
raj Taliaferro on his splendid fight at
Averasboro', aud then gave very int
resting account of the Confederate
victory at Bentonville. He described
the final catastrophe, and closed with
an eloquent tribute to Virginia and to
Lee, which was loudly applauded.
wADDELL's WIT.
Colonel Waddell enliyened his speech
with keen Wit. hamor, and welltold
anecdotes, which brought down the
house in applause. The whole speech
Was al admirable one.
OFFICERS ELECTED.
On motion of General Early, the Of
fcors Of the association were re- elected,
the name Of General j. II. Cooke being
substituted for that of General Smith.
EX-GOVERNOR SMITH.
On motion of the Hon. George L..
Christian, feeling resolutions on the
death Of General William Smith were
adopted.
TEE BANQUET.
After the addresses at the hall there
was banquet at Pizzini's. General
Taliaferro presided, and there were
present Generals Hampton, Early, w.
II. L. Lee, y. 4. johnson, Il. Ransom,
Il